Structural support and assembly of structural supports

ABSTRACT

A structural support includes a first side-wall, a second side-wall, a first planar wall, and a second planar wall. The structural support further includes internal walls that are disposed between the first side-wall and the second side wall, and extend from a first inner surface of the first planar wall to a second inner surface of the second planar wall. The first side-wall, the second side-wall, the first planar wall, and the second planar wall define connector components. The internal walls define a plurality of channels between the connector components.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(c)to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/038421 entitled“STRUCTURAL SUPPORT AND ASSEMBLY OF STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS,” filed Jun. 12,2020, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

More and more often, building construction projects involve theconstruction and/or use of portable, or non-permanent, orquickly-assembled/disassembled buildings and enclosures, or other typesof non-permanent structures (together referred to hereafter as“non-permanent buildings”) that include some type of roof or otheroverhead structure supported by a vertically extending frame. Thesenon-permanent buildings are often designed to be: (1) suitable forhousing activity by multiple persons, and (2) enclosed or modifiable tobe enclosed so outside weather conditions do not impede the activitiestaking place inside. Further, an objective in designing thesenon-permanent buildings is often to build a structure that isfunctionally equivalent to a permanent building in that it: (1) isprovided with (a) utility services including electricity, heat, airconditioning, water, drain, and waste, and (b) communication or dataservices such as interne, phone, and cable or other data transmissionservices; and (2) allows for other types of data transmission such ascellular data.

Many structural components of such non-permanent buildings are designedto be easily constructed to provide the basic functions noted above.However, these non-permanent buildings are more times than not supportedby foundations recessed several feet into the ground, formed ofconcrete, include rebar, or are otherwise built and intended to supportpermanent structures. Thus, even though a majority of an overallstructure of a non-permanent building may be built and removed quickly,the steps to form or otherwise provide a foundation before above-groundconstruction may commence are: time consuming; labor intensive; requirespecial and expensive industrial equipment (e.g., cement mixers,overhead cranes, rebar cutters, etc.); require sleeving to provideconduits for power, data, and plumbing cables and pipes; and oftencannot be immediately followed with additional same-day constructionbecause materials (e.g., concrete) must dry and harden before trades maybuild from the newly installed foundational structure. Furthermore, oncea non-permanent building that the foundation supports is no longerneeded and is removed, the foundation remains and defines a footprintthat is difficult and costly to remove. Even if there is some viable usefor the foundation, such a scenario is less than optional because adesign of a next structure built on the foundation will be limited bythe spatial constraints of a footprint, the utilities that arecompatible with conduit paths, and the types of equipment and scale ofstructure that may be supported by a load capacity of the foundation.

As a result, a need exists for structural components that may beconstructed into foundations at a high speed, low cost, and with minimalrequirements for labor and complex equipment in similar respects to thenon-permanent buildings these foundations support.

SUMMARY

Systems or building designs for non-permanent buildings other than thoseof the present disclosure, such as some metal buildings having some,although a low, degree of mobility/portability, are traditionallydesigned individually to particular specifications. They often lackuniversal applicability to more than one, let alone several,construction projects (i.e., they are not considered “plug and play”types of construction projects). Furthermore, a cost and time requiredto engineer and produce these types of non-permanent building is higherand takes longer due to fabrication constraints, than non-permanentbuildings incorporating the structural supports described herein. Incontrast, structural supports of the present disclosure are: engineeredto support and have directly erected thereon, different types ofnon-permanent buildings, such as different types of metal buildings; maybe shipped anywhere; and may be installed by a novice with only aforklift.

Examples described herein include structural supports that may bequickly, easily, and cost effectively combined into assemblies thatprovide non-permanent foundations fully capable of supportingnon-permanent buildings. In one example, the structural supports may beprovided in standard sizes and have both male interconnectingcomponent-ends, female interconnecting component-ends, and mixed maleand female interconnecting component-ends. These ends are configured sothat fabrication, connection, and individual and group installation arefast and simple. In turn, total foundation assembly and installation maybe accomplished, in one example, in one or two days with as littleequipment as a fork lift to move the structural supports, and a socketwrench to bolt interconnected (mated) opposing ends of adjacent supportstogether. In addition, a building customer's required plumbing andmechanical piping and conduit, as well as required electrical, data,phone, and/or fiber optic cable and conduits may be pre-installed inchannels defined by internal walls of one or more of the structuralsupports.

Structural supports and assemblies constructed therefrom according tothe present disclosure, are different than other solutions. This is due,in part, to each structural support's capability to have a uniquearrangement of standardized interconnecting components. In one example,all ends/sides of every structural support of an assembled foundation iscapable of being configured with male, female, or both male and female(quick connect) interconnecting components. This enables groups ofstructural supports to be uniquely assembled into any configuration.Further, these unique configurations may be achieved without specializedcomponents, or any type of tool or linkage not already provided orconstituted by the standardized interconnecting components that eachstructural support has.

In one example, structural supports according to the present disclosureare easy to position, may be stacked for storage or transport, and maybe transported using a variety of widely available vehicles or transportmethods (large and small work trucks, oversized trucks, vehicles used bycommon commercial carriers, in containers moved by tractor trailers, oras freight, etc.). This versatility in transport and delivery optionsmeans that metal or other types of non-permanent buildings may beinstalled in remote areas. These are locations that were often notpreviously considered as building construction site options, even fortemporary buildings, because installing a traditional foundationpresented many difficulties with getting labor and concrete preparationand installation equipment in and out of those remote areas.

In yet another example, individual structural supports may each beconstructed with internal walls or partitions that define channels thatextend an entire or substantial portion of a length of each structuralsupport. The channels may be used to house pre-wiring and pre-tubing forelectrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. As a result, thestructural supports allow segments of a foundation to be pre-wired,assembled, dissembled, and moved upon need.

In addition, the non-permanent foundations described herein effectivelyeliminate the loss of use or missed opportunity costs to an originaluser that must leave behind a concrete or other type of foundationintended as a permanent installation. Furthermore, the real money costsassociated with having to remove concrete or other types of foundationsmore suited to be permanent or long-term installations are alsoeliminated.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the examples, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a structural support accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective partially exploded view of a structuralsupport, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective and sectional views of astructural support, the sectional view of FIG. 3B taken from a planecorresponding to section line 3B-3B as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective and sectional views of astructural support, the sectional view of FIG. 4B taken from a planecorresponding to section line 4B-4B as illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate perspective and sectional views of astructural support, the sectional view of FIG. 5B taken from a planecorresponding to section line 5B-5B as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate perspective and sectional views of astructural support, the sectional view of FIG. 6B taken from a planecorresponding to section line 6B-6B as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary assembly ofstructural supports.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a non-permanent buildingincluding an exemplary assembly of exemplary structural supports,according to as aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a partially constructednon-permanent building including an exemplary assembly of exemplarystructural supports, according to as aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a closeup of a portion of FIG. 9 identified as detail 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES

Reference will now be made in detail to the present examples, includingexamples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible,the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to referto the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a structural support 100according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The structural support100 includes a first planar wall 110, a second planar wall 120, internalwalls 130 that extend from a first inner surface 312 (see FIG. 3B) ofthe first planar wall 110 to a second internal surface (see FIG. 3B) ofthe second planar wall 120, a first side wall 140, and a second sidewall150. The first and second side walls 140, 150 respectively define firstand second connector components 160, 170 that are configured to receivethird and fourth connector components 180, 190. The internal walls 130define channels 135 that extend over a longitude of the of thestructural support 100. The internal walls 130 disposed closest to eachof the first and second side walls 140, 150 are partitioned to definesecond connector slot sub-components configured to receive the thirdconnector components 180 extending in a direction orthogonal to thelongitude of the structural support 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective partially exploded view of a structuralsupport 200, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In oneexample, third connector components 280 are provided as adaptors, eachadaptor having a rectangular shaped body 282 and third connectorapertures 284 extending through the body 282. The third connectorapertures 282 being sized, in one example, to permit fourth connectorcomponents 290 to pass through the third connector components 280 andengage with aperture sub-components 262, 272 of the first or secondconnector components 260, 270 of the structural supports 200.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective and sectional views of astructural support 300. The sectional view of FIG. 3B is taken from aplane corresponding to section line 3B-3B as illustrated in FIG. 3A. InFIG. 3B, a second connector slot sub-component 374 of the structuralsupport 300 that is shown, does not include a third connector positionedtherein. Accordingly, portions of channels 335A, 335B, that wouldnormally be blocked from view by a third connector are visible, andinclude a partitioned wall 332 and a distal end 304 of a first channel335A the structural support 300. The distal end 304, like a proximal end302 shown in FIG. 3A, may include a first connector with a firstconnector slot sub-component. The first channel 311 defined by thepartitioned wall 332, a first side wall 340, and a second inner surface322, extends from the proximal end 302 to the distal end 304. Likewise,a second channel 335B defined by the partitioned wall 332, an internalwall 330, and the second inner surface 322, also extends from theproximal end 302 to the distal end 304.

The partitioned wall 332 illustrated in FIG. 3B is substantially similarto the internal wall 330. The exception being provision of three gaps inthe partitioned wall; each gap corresponding to a second connector slotsub-component 374 of a second connector component 370, which are shownin FIG. 3A. Turning back to FIG. 3B, first aperture sub-components 372Aare defined within portions of a first planar wall 310 of the structuralsupport 300 that correspond to the second connector slot sub-components374. On the other hand, second aperture sub-components 372B are definedwithin portions of a second planar wall 320 of the structural support300 that correspond to the second connector slot sub-components 374. Asexplained with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, these first and secondconnector slot sub-components receive fourth connector components 390 tosecure third connector components 480 to (a) the second connectorcomponents 370, and (b) the structural support 300.

With the third connector components 480 secured to the structuralsupport 300 illustrated in FIG. 3A, the structural support 300 can beattached to another structural support (not shown) along the first sidewall 340. This other structural support may receive, in respectivesecond connector slot sub-components 370, portions of the thirdconnector components 480 extending from/through the first side wall 340of the structural support 300. With additional fourth connectorcomponents 390, the third connector components 480, and thus thestructural support 300, may be secured to the other structural support.Interactions between second, third, and fourth connectors 370, 480, 390are described in more detail with references to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective and sectional views of thestructural support 300. The sectional view of FIG. 4B is taken from aplane corresponding to section line 4B-4B as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Asshown, the structural support 300 includes three second connectorcomponents 370A, B, C defined by, among other structures, a first sidewall 340. For one of the second connector components 370A, no thirdconnector component 480 is inserted into a second connector slotsub-component 374 thereof. On the other hand, third connector components480 are positioned within the other second connector components 370B,370C. However, only the third connector component 480 provided closestto the distal end 302 of the structural support 300 is secured theretoby fourth connector components 390.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a third connector component 480 is received in thesecond connector component 370B provided in a middle portion of thestructural support 300, but is not secured to thereto by the fourthconnector components 390. However, in viewing FIG. 4B, it is clear eachthird aperture 484 defined in a portion of the third connector component480 inserted into the structural support 300, can be aligned with arespective pair of first and second aperture subcomponents 372A, 372B.Together, each combination of aligned apertures can receive a fourthconnector component 390, which in one example, can include a threadedend corresponding to a threaded wall defining a respective secondaperture sub-component 372B.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate perspective and sectional views of thestructural support. The sectional view of FIG. 5B is taken from a planecorresponding to section line 5B-5B as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Morespecifically, FIG. 5B shows a sectional view of the first channel 335Athat is: (a) defined by the partitioned wall 332, the first side wall340, and the second inner surface 322, and (b) extends from the proximalend 302 to the distal end 304 of the structural support 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, first connector components 560 are providedat the proximal and distal ends 302, 304 of the structural support 300.Like the second connector components 370, the first connector components560 include pairs of first and second aperture sub-components 562A, 562Bthat are defined in the first and second planar walls 310, 320. Asshown, these pairs of aperture sub-components 562A, 562B are providedalong a longitudinal axis of the structural support. While the firstconnector components 560 are provided within the first channel 335A andthe second channel 335B which is defined by the inner wall 330, it willbe understood that any of the channels defined by pairs internal walls330 may include first connector components 560.

With third connector components 480 secured to first connectorcomponents 560 at the proximal end 302, the structural support 300 canbe attached to another structural support along said proximal end 302.This other structural support may receive, in respective first connectorslot sub-components 564, portions of third connector components 480extending from/through the proximal end 302 of the structural support300. With additional fourth connector components 309, these thirdconnector components 480, and thus the structural support 300, may besecured to first connector components 560 of the other structuralsupport.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate perspective and sectional views of astructural support 300. The sectional view of FIG. 6B is taken from aplane corresponding to section line 6B-6B as illustrated in FIG. 6A.FIG. 6B is particularly useful for appreciating the structure ofchannels for a structural support according to the present disclosure.As illustrated, the structural support 300 may include two firstchannels 335A, two second channels 335B, and a group of third channels635 provided between the second channels 335B.

Each first channel 335A may defined by respective side and partitionedwalls 340, 332. Further, each first channel 335A may include firstconnector components 560 and a portion of each second connectorcomponent 370 (i.e., one pair of first and second aperturesub-components 372A, 372B) defined by a respective group of side,partitioned, and internal walls 340, 332, 330. Each second channel 335Bmay be defined by respective partitioned and internal walls 332, 330.Further, each second channel 335B may include a portion of each secondconnector component 370 (i.e., one pair of first and second aperturesub-components 372A, 372B) defined by a respective group of side,partitioned, and internal walls 340, 332, 330.

Any of third channels 635 may be used to house pre-wiring and pre-tubingfor electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. In addition, dependingon a size (e.g., length) of third connector components 480 used, thesecond channels 335B may also be utilized to house pre-wiring andpre-tubing. As a result, the structural supports 300 can providesegments of a foundation that are pre-wired or pre-tubed, and makeoverall construction of a non-permanent building, including variouselectrical, mechanical, and data focused systems quicker, easier, andmore efficient.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary non-permanentfoundation assembly 700 (“foundation assembly 700”) constructed ofexemplary structural supports 710, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. More specifically, FIG. 7 shows a group of structuralsupports 710 that have been interconnected together using thirdconnector components as described herein, to be assembled into asingular body that may serve as a foundation for a non-permanentbuilding.

In another example, structural supports 710 may be designed withanchoring systems rated for any wind speed requirement for apre-engineered building, such as a non-permanent metal building. Asassembled into a foundation, the anchoring systems provided on theindividual structural supports 710 may be strategically used to allowthe foundation to be anchored into the ground to a level of securitythat would be required for any weather condition.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an enclosed non-permanentbuilding 800 including an exemplary foundation assembly 810 of exemplarystructural supports , according to as aspect of the present disclosure.In one example, the enclosed non-permanent building 800 include thefoundation assembly 810, a frame (not shown, see FIG. 9) attached to thefoundation assembly 810, and walls 820 attached to the frame 920. Thefoundation assembly 810 can be provided as one large skid ofinterconnected skids in the form of the structural supports. In oneexample, with the frame 920 attached to the foundation assembly 810, andthe wall attached to the frame 920, the non-permanent building 800 maybe moved from one location to another on a jobsite, or from one jobsiteto another jobsite, as a single structure carried by a two or more forklifts utilizing the channels to mount the non-permanent buildingthereon.

The structural supports illustrated in FIG. 8, as well as any of thestructural supports described herein, may be fabricated and manufacturedusing simple, fast, easily repeatable, and efficient processes. In oneexample, any of structural supports according to the present disclosuremay be fabricated from structural steel, and may be hot-dipped andgalvanized to prevent steel rot.

Further, structural supports described herein may be both producedindividually or pre-assembled in sections of multiple supports, andtransported to jobsites with only minimal lead times. A builder mayorder and receive delivery of a specified number of structural supportsfor a construction project within a relatively small window of time.More importantly, the builder may time delivery so that window of timeis overlapped by short-term rental period for equipment that may be usedto move the structural supports around a construction site, such asforklifts. Normally, these types of equipment are being used, but notoptimally utilized (e.g., have periods of downtime), during theirrespective short-term rental periods for other tasks at the beginning ofa project when a foundation is normally installed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an open non-permanent building900 including an exemplary foundation assembly 910 of exemplarystructural supports , according to as aspect of the present disclosure.The open non-permanent building 900 includes a frame 920 attached tofoundation assembly 900. FIG. 10 illustrates a connection between a leg930 of the frame 920, and a structural support of the foundationassembly 900. It will be understood that such a frame may be attached tothe exemplary foundation assembly 900 using connectors such as thefourth connector components previously described. Any such connectorcomponent, including the fourth connector components may be providedwith a bolt, hex-bolt, threaded fastener, nut and bolt combination,screw fastener, and the like.

In terms of installing a foundation such as the foundation assembly 900,or other foundation assemblies described herein—change orders or othersituations that arise during certain types of projects, for exampledesign-build projects, may require some level of ad-hoc provisioning ofmaterial, equipment, and labor that is costly and may derail and overallproject schedule. However, in coupling transportability with short leadtimes for fabrication, the structural supports may be delivered in amatter of weeks. Further, once delivered, they may be erected in a daywith little effort and labor. Thus, the structural supports of thepresent disclosure may enable builders and project managers to addressunforeseen issues during early build out stages without losing labor manhours or getting significantly off-schedule.

Other features of, or provided by, the structural supports according tothe present disclosure include their being considered, under certainbuilding and other regulatory codes, a “mobile building” or a tool, andthus, obviating the need for storm water retention that may be requiredfor code compliance in some areas. Using forklifts and channels definedby the supports, a non-permanent building, for example a metal building,may be moved in its entirety, and places in another location where it isneeded. The supports provide for a portability of entire non-permanentbuilding, with little labor, effort, and minimal coordination. Suchmetal buildings become more of an option to customers wanting aport-able building that may be reused in different locations.

Other examples of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theexamples disclosed herein. Though some of the described methods havebeen presented as a series of steps, it should be appreciated that oneor more steps may occur simultaneously, in an overlapping fashion, or ina different order. The order of steps presented are only illustrative ofthe possibilities and those steps may be executed or performed in anysuitable fashion. Moreover, the various features of the examplesdescribed here are not mutually exclusive. Rather any feature of anyexample described herein may be incorporated into any other suitableexample. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of thedisclosure being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A structural support comprising: a firstside-wall; a second side-wall; a first planar wall; a second planarwall; internal walls disposed between the first side-wall and the secondside wall, and extending from a first inner surface of the first planarwall to a second inner surface of the second planar wall, wherein thefirst side-wall, the second side-wall, the first planar wall, and thesecond planar wall define connector components; and wherein the internalwalls define a plurality of channels between the connector components.2. The structural support of claim 1, wherein each of the connectorcomponents is configured to receive more than one other type ofconnector component in a single interconnection.
 3. The structuralsupport of claim 2, wherein each of the connector components defines anaperture sub-component configured to fasten the structural support to atleast one of the more than one other type of connector.
 4. Thestructural support of claim 2, wherein the more than one other type ofconnector component includes: one connector component provided as anadaptor having a body that defines a plurality of apertures; and anotherconnector component provided as a bolt sized to extend through theapertures of the body of the adaptor.
 5. The structural support of claim1, wherein the connector components includes: first connector componentsthat extend along a longitude of the structural support from respectivelongitudinal ends of thereof; and second connector components thatinclude slot sub-components defined by respective openings in the firstand second side walls.
 6. The structural support of claim 1, wherein thechannels are configured to receive planar extensions for raising andmoving the structural support to a predetermined location.
 7. Thestructural support of claim 1, wherein the structural support is a firststructural support, and wherein the connector components are configuredto connect the first structural support to a second structural supportat one of the first side wall and the second side wall.
 8. Thestructural support of claim 7, wherein the connector components areconfigured to connect the first structural support to a third structuralsupport at one of a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal endof the first structural support.
 9. An assembly suitable for supportinga building, the assembly comprising: structural supports interconnectedin a configuration corresponding to footprint of the building, eachstructural supporting including: a first side-wall, a second side-wall,a first planar wall, and a second planar wall (together “first andsecond walls”), the first and second walls defining first and secondconnector components; and internal walls disposed between the firstside-wall and the second side wall, and extending from a first innersurface of the first planar wall to a second inner surface of the secondplanar wall, the internal walls defining a plurality of channels betweenthe connector components; third connector components configured to bereceived by the first and second connector components; and fourthconnector component configured to be received by the third connectorcomponents and be secured to aperture sub-components of the first andsecond connector components.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein thechannels are configured to receive planar extensions for raising andmoving the assembly to a predetermined location.
 11. The assembly ofclaim 9, wherein each of the first and second connector components isconfigured to receive at least one third connector component and atleast one fourth connector component.
 12. The assembly of claim 9,wherein each of the first and second connector components define anaperture sub-component configured to fasten a respective structuralsupport to at least one third connector component and at least onefourth connector component.
 13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein atleast one of the third connector components includes an adaptor having abody, and wherein the body defines at least one aperture.
 14. Theassembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the fourth connectorcomponents includes a bolt sized to extend through the at least oneaperture.
 15. The assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of the firstconnector components extends along a longitude of respective structuralsupport from respective longitudinal ends of thereof.
 16. The assemblyof claim 15, wherein at least one of the second connector componentsincludes slot sub-components defined by openings in respective first andsecond side walls of the respective structural support.
 17. A method ofassembling a foundation assembly, the method comprising: providing afirst structural support; providing a second structural support;positioning a third connector component within a first connector slotsub-component of a first connector component of the first structuralsupport; aligning a first third connector aperture with: a firstaperture sub-component defined by a first planar wall of the firststructural support, and a second aperture sub-component defined by asecond planar wall of the first structural support; positioning a fourthconnector component through the first aperture sub-component and thethird connector aperture and securing the fourth connector component toa wall that defines the second aperture sub-component; and positioningthe third connector component within a first connector slotsub-component of a first connector component of the second structuralsupport.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: aligning asecond third connector aperture with: a first aperture sub-componentdefined by a first planar wall of the second structural support, and asecond aperture sub-component defined by a second planar wall of thesecond structural support; and positioning a fourth connector componentthrough the first aperture sub-component and the third connectoraperture and securing the fourth connector component to a wall thatdefines the second aperture sub-component.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising: positioning another third connector component withina second connector slot sub-component of a second connector component ofthe first structural support; aligning another first third connectoraperture with another first aperture sub-component defined by the firstplanar wall, and another second aperture sub-component defined by thesecond planar wall of the first structural support; and positioninganother fourth connector component through the other first aperturesub-component and the other third connector aperture and securing theother fourth connector another second aperture sub-component.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising positioning the other thirdconnector component within a second connector slot sub-component of asecond connector component of a third structural support.